Alarm set indicating means



1966 H. ALBINGER, JR., ETAL 3,282,041

ALARM SET INDICATING MEANS Filed Feb. 14, 1962 awn W 3%? a Mk5 w W M United States Patent 3,282,041 ALARM SET INDICATING MEANS Harry Albinger, Jr., and Chester B. Marble, Ashland,

Mass, assignors to General Elechic Company, a corporation of New York Filed Feb.14, 1962, Ser. No. 173,295 Claims. (Cl. 58-227) This invention relates to alarm clocks and more particularly to an illuminating indicating means which will tell the user of an alarm clock whether the clock alarm mechanism has been set to operate.

It is quite common for the user of an alarm clock to forget to set the alarm before falling asleep, or to set the alarm, and then later be unable to remember whether the alarm has been set or not. Consequently, it is desirable that alarm clocks be provided with means by which the user can quickly tell whether the alarm has been set. Further, since the need usually arises in a darkened room, it is desirable that the indicating means be visible in the dark.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to provide an alarm clock with an improved, unique arrangement which will visibly indicate in the dark whether the alarm has been set.

Another object of the invention is to provide an alarm clock having an edge-lighted lens for illuminating the clock dial with an indicating means which will tell the user whether the alarm has been set.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an alarm clock is provided with a dial and a mask positioned behind a portion of the dial. By positioning a light source behind the dial, the unmasked portions may be illuminated. A hole formed in the mask permits light to pass through the hole to appear as a light spot on the dial when the clock is in a darkened surrounding. Means to control the passage of light through the hole in the mask are connected to a manual alarm shut-off lever which controls the operation of the clock alarm mechanism. The control means may be arranged with respect to the hole in the mask such that light from the source is unable to pass through the mask hole when the shut-off lever is in the alarm off position. Thus, the absence of the light spot on the dial indicates to the user that the alarm mechanism is in the otf position. Further, the control means may be connected so that when the shut-off lever is in the alarm on or alarm set position, light from the source is permitted to pass through the mask hole, so that a light spot appears on the dial when the alarm mechanism is set to operate.

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an alarm clock incorporating the alarm set indicating mechanism of the invention showing the control means in its two positions;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the alarm clock of PEG. 1 showing the control means in its two positions; and

FIG. 3 is a partial front elevation of the alarm clock of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings and first particularly to FIG. 1, an alarm clock in which the improved indicating mechanism may be employed is shown as including a self-starting synchronous motor, portions of the motor stator magnet core and energizing coil being shown at and 12, respectively. The motor and other clock components are shown supported by a front plate 14, a middle plate 16 and a rear plate 18 connected by a pair of pillars 20 and 22. The clock is provided with a shut-oil lever 24, which is slidably mounted on support plate 16 and 18 and which extends rerawardly from the rear of the clock. The shut-off lever has an upwardly extending surface 25 adapted to control the movement of an alarm vibrator 27 which may be of the resilient magnetically operated type.

When unrestrained the vibrator 27 vibrates against the stator core 10. When the shut-off lever 24 is in its most rearward position, as shown in full lines in FIGS. 1 and 2, the alarm vibrator 27 is in the position wherein it is vibrating or is set to vibrate at the set time. When the shut-off lever 24 is in its most forward position as shown by phantom lines in FIGS. 1 and 2, the alarm vibrator is in the restrained or off position. Many other internal components of the alarm clock have not been shown in that such are not necessary to obtain a clear understanding of the invention, and it should be recognized that many conventional arrangements may be employed.

To enable a user to observe the correct time in a darkened room, it is desirable to provide an alarm clock with an illuminated dial. For this purpose, the clock is provided with a unique lighting arrangement including a translucent dial 26 backed by an opaque mask 28 and a lens 30. The mask 28 may be cut to cover the portions of dial 26 which are not to be illuminated, and preferably it would only'cover the border portion 26a of the dial surrounding the clock face portion 26b, as seen in FIG. 3. The large dial surface which is presented by including the border portion 26a facilitates daytime reading of the clock; whereas in darkened surroundings, only the face portion 26b is illuminated to keepthe lighted area to a minimum so as not to bother the sleeper.

The lens 30 is lighted by an illuminating source positioned adjacent one edge of the lens and includes a lamp holder 32 containing and supporting a lamp 34 which is operated by conducting wires (not shown.) connecting the lamp to one of the motor coils. The lamp holder 32 is closed on three sides and open on the side adjacent the edge of lens 30 so that the light from the lamp 34 is directed edgewise through the lens 30 in a plane parallel to the dial 26, as seen in FIG. 1. The lens 30, which is centrally aligned with the face portion of the dial 26, may be formed of any suitable material such as glass or plastic normally employed for edge lighted applications, and the lens may be provided with suitable reflective surfaces (not shown) which will direct the light forwardly from the lens to illuminate the unmasked portions of the dial 26.

In accordance with the invention, a unique indicating arrangement is provided which will tell a user whether the clock alarm is in the off position or has been set to operate at a specified time. As shown, a flexible control or shutter member 36 is provided for reflecting light to cause an indication to appear on the face of the dial. The flexible control or shutter member 36, is preferably an integral member formed or bent into the three sections 36a, 36b, and 36c. One end 36a of the control member is hinged, or connected in other suitable fashion, to front plate 14, or more specifically, to the left-hand edge 38 of operating 40 in front plate 14, as seen in FIG. 2. Section 36a extends forwardly from the front plate 14 to the rear of mask 28 at which point the control member 36 is bent rearwardly to form the section 36b as indicated in solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 2. Finally, an additional bend forms the rearwardly extending section 360 which is connected to a projection 42 on shut-off lever 24 in any suitable fashion. The member 36 may be made of thin flexible metal having a shiny or polished surface such as brass or other suitable material having the required characteristics. In accordance with the invention, the control member 36 is moved from the position shown by solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 2 to the position shown by dotted lines and thus it is necessary that the control member be able to withstand such flexing and movement without breaking or cracking while yet retaining its shape and being easy to move. Although it is mentioned that the control member 36 be preferably made of material having a shiny surface, it is essential only that the surface of section 36b exposed to the edge 44 of lens 30, when in the position shown by solid lines in the drawings, be a shiny surface in that it is to serve as a reflector. The various sections of the control member 36 may, of course, be made of different materials. Also, the sections could be hinged at their mutual joints rather than being bent.

- However, the arrangement as shown has been found to be particularly satisfactory.

In accordance with the invention, the mask 28 is formed with a small hole or aperture 46 which 'may be seen in FIG. 3 and is partially shown in FIG. 2. The aperture is formed at a position adjacent the edge 44 of lens 30 and is aligned with the opening 40 in front plate 14, and further aligned with the reflective surface of section 3612 of the control member. When the control member is in the position shown by solid lines in the drawings, light emanating from the lamp 34 passes through the lens 30 in a direction parallel to the dial 26, passes through the lens edge 44, and strikes the reflective surface of section 36b where it is reflected forwardly through the aperture 46 and appears as a light spot on the dial 26. This spot is clearly visible when the clock is in a darkened surrounding. The light path is indicated by the small arrows seen in FIG. 1. The light spot may serve as an indicating means for the condition of the clock alarm mechanism by properly connecting the control member.

36 to the shut-off lever 24. As previously mentioned, when the shut-oif lever 24 is in its most rearward position, the alarm is in the position in which it is set to operate; and in this position, the control member is arranged so that the reflective surface of section 36b is as shown by solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the light from the lens'edge 44 is reflected forwardly through the mask hole 46 so that a spot appears on the dial .26.- Thus, while the alarm is set to operate, the spot on the dial border 26b enables the user to tell at a glance this information when the clock is in a darkened surrounding.

When the shut-off lever 24 and the control member 36 are placed in the forward position indicated by dotted lines in the drawings, the shut-off lever is in the off position and the reflective surface 36b is positioned immediately behind the mask aperture 46, thereby preventing any light from passing through the aperture. The absence of the light spot on the dial 26 therefore indicates to the user that the alarm has not been set. Thus, it will be appreciated that a uniquely formed arrangement has been shown and described by which the position of the alarm mechanism in an alarm clock can be quickly determined in a darkened room.

While a particular embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described, modifications thereof will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it should be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular arrangement disclosed and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all modifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In analarm clock, a clock face dial, adapted to permit light to pass througha small portion of said dial, a light source positioned behind said dial, a flexible control member having one end attached to a fixed support be hind said dial and adjacent said small dial portion, said control member having a reflective surface aligned with from said source forwardly through said small dial por- I tion so that a light spot appears on said dial in a darkened surrounding, said control member having a second position wherein said reflective surface blocks the passage of light from said source through said small dial portion, an alarm mechanism including a manual alarm shut-off lever which is movable between an alarm off and an first position wherein said reflective surface reflects light panel member having front and rear face surfaces, said single light source positioned adjacent said light transmitting panel member for permitting light to enter said panel member, an opaque mask positioned in front ofsaid light transmitting panel member and behind said dial, an enlarged opening formed in said mask for permitting light from said panel member to pass through said enlarged opening and through said translucent dial to illuminate the dial, a small aperture formed in said mask for permitting the passage of light therethrough, a reflective surface positioned behind said mask adjacent said aperture and positioned to reflect light through said aperture so that a light spot appears on said dial, an alarm mechanism including a manual alarm shut-off lever, which is movable between an alarm off and an alarm set position, control means adapted to be moved by said shut-off lever as the shut-off lever is moved to and from its alarm off and alarm set positions, said control means being arranged with respect to said mask aperture and said shut-off lever such that the control means prevents light from saidsource from passing through said aperture when said shut-off lever isin the alarm off position and permits light from said source to strike said reflective surface and be directed through said aperture when said shut-off lever is in :the alarm set position so that a light spot will appear on said dial when the alarm mechanism is set to operate.

3. In an alarm clock, a translucent dial having a clock face portion and a surrounding border, a lens positioned behind said dial aligned with the face portion of said dial and the inner sectionof said border, a single light source positioned adjacent one edge of said lens to direct its light rays edgewise through said lens in a direction parallel to said dial, said lens being adapted to reflect light from said source forwardly for illuminating said dial, a mask positioned behind said surrounding border 'for preventing the passage of light through said border, said mask having a hole positioned therein,'means to direct light from saidsource that has passed edgewise through said lens through said hole so that a light spot appears on said dial border when the clock is in a darkened surrounding, an alarm mechanism including a manual shut-off lever which is movable between an alarm off and an alarm set position, control means adapted to be moved by said shut-01f lever as the lever is moved to and from its alarm off and alarm set positions, said control means being arranged with respect to the hole in said mask and said shut-off lever such that said control means prevents light from said source from passing through said hole when said shut-off lever is in the alarm off position and permits light from said source to pass through the hole when said shut-off lever is in the alarm set position so that a light spot will appear on said dial when the alarm mechanism is set to operate.

4. In an'alarm clock, a translucent dial, a light source positioned behind said dial for illuminating the dial, a mask positioned behind said portions of said dial to prevent the passage of light through said portions, said mask having -a hole, positioned remotely from said light source, a flexible control member having one end attached to a fixed support adjacent the hole in said mask, said control member having a reflective surface aligned with said mask hole, said control member having a first position wherein said reflective surface reflects light from said source forwardly through the hole in said mask so that a light spot appears on said dial, said control member having a second position wherein said reflective surface blocks the passage of light from said source through said mask hole, an alarm mechanism including an alarm shutoff lever which is manually movable between an alarm off and an alarm set position, said lever being connected to move said control member to said first position as the shut-01f lever is moved to the alarm set position and to said second position when the shut-off lever is placed in its alarm oif position so that a light spot on said dial indicates that the alarm mechanism is in the set position and no light spot indicates the alarm mechanism is in the alarm 01f position.

5. In an alarm clock a translucent dial having a clock face portion and a surrounding border, a mask positioned behind said dial aligned with said border, a lens centrally mounted behind said mask, said mask having a hole adjacent an edge of said lens, a light source positioned to direct its light through said lens in a plane parallel to said lens, and having a portion of its light directed towards the lens edge adjacent said mask hole, said lens being adapted to reflect light from said source forwardly for illuminating the unmasked portion of said dial, a flexible control member having a reflective surface aligned with said hole and adjacent said lens and having one end at tached to a fixed support adjacent said mask hole, an alarm mechanism including an alarm shut-off lever which is manually movable between an alarm set and an alarm off position, said lever being connected to the opposite end of said control member, said control member having a first position when said shut-off lever is in the alarm on position wherein said reflective surface reflects forwardly light from said light source striking the reflective surface to travel through said mask hole so that a spot of light appears on said dial border and a second position when said shut-01f lever is in the alarm oil position wherein said reflective surface prevents light from travelling through said mask aperture.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,605,336 7/1952 Munroe 340-373 2,627,837 2/ 1953 Ginter 116-135 3,043,038 7/ 1962 Marble -130 3,081,594 3/1963 Atkins et a1. 5850 FOREIGN PATENTS 774,735 5/ 1957 Great Britain.

RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner. JOSEPH P. STRIZAK, LEO SMILOW, Examiners. G. F. BAKER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN AN ALARM CLOCK, A CLOCK FACE DIAL, ADAPTED TO PERMIT LIGHT TO PASS THROUGH A SMALL PORTION OF SAID DIAL, A LIGHT SOURCE POSITIONED BEHIND SAID DIAL, A FLEXIBLE CONTROL MEMBER HAVING ONE END ATTACHED TO A FIXED SUPPORT BEHIND AND DIAL AND ADJACENT SAID SMALL DIAL PORTION, SAID CONTROL MEMBER HAVING A REFLECTIVE SURFACE ALIGNED WITH SAID SMALL DIAL PORTION, SAID SHUTTER MEMBER HAVING A FIRST PORTION WHEREIN SAID REFLECTIVE SURFACE REFLECTS LIGHT FROM SAID SOURCE FORWARDLY THROUGH SAID SMALL DIAL PORTION SO THAT A LIGHT SPOT APPEARS ON SAID DIAL IN A DARKENED SURROUNDING, SAID CONTROL MEMBER HAVING A SECOND POSITION WHEREIN SAID REFLECTIVE SURFACE BLOCKS THE PASSAGE OF LIGH FROM SAID SOURCE THROUGH SAID SMALL DIAL PORTION, AN ALARM MECHANISM INCLUDING A MANUAL ALARM SHUT-OFEF LEVER WHICH IS MOVABLE BETWEEN AN ALARM OFF AND AN ALARM SET POSITION, SAID LEVER BEI NG CONNECTED TO MOVE SAID CONTROL MEMBER TO SAID FIRST POSITION AS THE SHUT-OFF LEVER IS MOVED TO THE ALARM SET POSITION, AND TO SAID SECOND POSITION WHEN THE SHUT-OF LEVER IS PLACED IN ITS ALARM OFF POSITION SO THAT A LIGHT SPOT APPEARS ON SAID DIAL WHEN THE SHUT-OFF LEVER IS IN ITS ALARM SET POSITION AND DOES NOT APPEAR WHEN THE LEVER IS IN ITS ALARM OFF POSITION. 